What Could a Mach 6 Hypersonic SR-91 Spy Do?  Myth or Reality? Does Such a Plane Exist?

By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization

If the mysterious and ever-elusive SR-91 Spy Plane actually exists as speculated by many, the hypersonic, potentially-stealthy Mach 6 reconnaissance plane would certainly introduce new tactics and concepts of operation.

Hypersonic

Hypersonic speeds have already been accomplished with significant reliability when it comes to weapons and projectiles, but what about a networked reconnaissance drone with an advanced payload able to transmit critical video and data in real-time across a joint force?

Some might even wonder if such an aircraft might also operate as an unmanned stealth bomber platform, should that be required by Pentagon weapons developers.

This would not only make sense as it would enable new dimensions to high-speed, high-altitude surprise stealth attacks, but it would also arguably provide tactical advances as enemy air defenses are much less likely to see or intercept a hypersonic projectile.

Hypersonic weapons move so quickly, making these objects much more difficult to track as they quickly transit from one radar aperture field of view to another. A hypersonic bomber would exponentially increase the likelihood of success on stealth bombing missions, by speed alone if nothing else. Development has shown explosive progress while also encountering some of the many challenges known to accompany hypersonic flight.

Unmanned and Stealthy

The technology for an unmanned stealth bomber may in fact already be here. The B-21 Raider is slated to take to the skies later this year, and it is a platform about which many have speculated for years. The B-21 is not only likely to control small groups of drones from the cockpit but is also likely engineered to itself fly unmanned missions.